A FRIENDLY INVASION

Hokitika Guardian, 29 December 1921, Page 2

A FRIENDLY INVASION

A POPULAR. TOUR

The visit of the Y.M.C.A walking ] delegation from Christchurch <a ing a very popular event Thu visitor? J are charmed with the holiday jaunt and are enjoying every minute ol the j stay. Yesterday they were in the ftnru of the Westland Progress League, and Mr AY. .Jeffries (Piesident), Mr Morris (Secretary) and the other members ot the executive did all they could to entertain the party and assist them on the way. There was a pleasant reunion at the luncheon at Preston’s where a good repast was done every justice. Mr .Jeffries presided at the luncheon, and when the menu had been disposed of, proposed the toast of the King. This was loyally responded to. The Chairman then proposed the toast of the Visitors. Tn doing so he said hitherto Canterbury had appeared somewhat shadowy far away and remote as it seemed" to lye. That afternoon they saw Canterbury in the substance and lie gave the visitors a cordially expressed welcome. This time next year, lie hoped, with the railway through they would have 500 or a 1,000 visitors from Christchurch in Hokitika.

A visitor: “You’ll .have half Christchurch here, Mr Jeffries!” The Chairman continuing said he was very pleased to hear that. They would have the same cordial welcome. He hoped tile present party would enjoy the stay. The Progress League would do all it could to make ‘the visit ns pleasant as possible. Personally, he appreciated what the Canterbury League had done for Westland. They had helped in every direction. They were glad of the opportunity now to return in some small way what their Christchurch friends had done for Hokitika and district. Mr Jeffries apologised for tlie absence of the County Chairman and Mr F. MeGiregor and invited the Mayor to support the toast proposed. Air G. A Perry said they looked on the party as the advance guard of the throng to come to Hokitika when the through train was available, and he cordially welcomed the visitors. He hoped the present was hut a fore-run-ner of other visits and he hoped the Coast would return tie? visit. The district they had come to differed very much pom Canterbury. The physical features wo»c unite different, and they would find much to interest them wherever they went. It was a district which afforded plenty of interest to visitors from all parts of the world. He welcomed them most heartily and the toast was received with musical honors and cheer*

Hon. H. L. Michel M.L.C said he was privileged to join in the chorus of welcome Perhaps the weather was not up to its usual standard of excellence, but he could see the visitors were enjoviiig themselves and it '■ v ns not necessary to apologise for the

tlier In the days of its birth, Wcstlnml was attached to Canterbury as part of the Fast Coast province. Hitherto the mountain harrier had divided them, but be hoped for a reunion with tlip completion of the through railway. Westland was much indebted to Canterbury for its early establishment. It was the officials of the Can terbury Provincial Government- who set up the system of government and order. Those officials were all men ot ideals, and they had left impressions which were indelible in the loyal spirit which had pervaded Westland always. Tile visitors to-day were specially welcome as the successors of the early Canterbury pioneers. .Mr Michel concluded a spirited speech with wishing the visitors 305 happy and prosperous days in the New A'ear.

Mr \Y. Butler extended a welcome to the visitors mid wished them success. lie agreed that the weather did not need any apology. The wet days taught them to appreciate the sunshine. He joined in the appreciation of the work of the Canterbury Progress League.

Mr 1). .1. Evans felt that no defence need be offered about the weather, when they remembered that the bright sunshine record in Ifokitika eclipsed that of the four cities in New Zealand excepting Christchurch. As President of the Acclimatisation Society. Mr Evans preferred the use of tlie launch at Lake Kanieri to the visitors, subject to the convenience of the caretaker. Mr T. \Y. llriice extolled the beauties of Hike Kanieri and recounted points about the lake which should be visited. He mentioned also the beautiful lakes in South Westland, where he hoped the organisation would later arrange another walking tour. Mr 1!. Wild spoke hearty words of

welcome to the visitors and wished them a jolly time, Mr 0. Davidson oxtended a cordial Scotch welcome in very fraternal terms. Mr Osborne, President of the Y.M. C'.A, in replying to the welcome, said it was a proud moment to him to rise and return thanks on behalf of the party The hospitality (extended was splendid and he gave whole-hearted thanks. The present was his first visit to Westland, but it would not be the last. One and all would carry back very happy recollections. He wished the town and its people a happy and prosperous New Year.

Mr It. A. Kenner, the manager of the tour also spoke, lie said no apology was needed for the weather. God had given Westland such a wonderful garden, that it required rain to keep its bountiful coloring. They took the weather as it came and pushed on. The views of the scenery they had seen en route had caused their souls to fill out. It had ii ;j saying that a week in Europe was as good as a cycle in Cathay but he would substitute ‘'Westland” for ‘'Europe”. They had been impressed with what they had seen. The West Coast trip had c ome up to expectations already. He would like to hear all thnt was to bo said about the early history of the district and invited some of the local speakers to go out to the lake and give a lecture. He bad been pleased also to hear the kindly references to the early Cantcrhnrians. They had fine aspiration and left behind them memories which were a great source of pleasure to Canterbury also. Mr Kenner spoke of the composition of the party, which included representatives from Otago and Wellington, as well as Christchurch. They were all delighted to meet such open-hearted hospitality. They would go back and tell their friends of their cordial reception. East and Wee* had

met and the bond of unity of the early days would lie perpetuated. The singing of A old Lang Syne and the National Anthem concluded the proceedings. Later the visitois g.nt their liaka very enthusiastically. The visitors walked out to Lake Kanieri in the afternoon— a 12 mile trek. Tho baggage was sent by lorry and an advance guard had the billy boiling when the pedestrians arrived. The visitors are housed in the tourist cottage and the residence at the Hatcher/. They will remain at Lake Kanieri till Tuesday, when they return by train to Christchurch direct. Tomorrow evening a delegation of the Progress League visits the camp and will give particulars of Westland and its points of interest. The party is a verv jolly one. The best of discipline prevails,‘and all seem bent on having a good holiday.